How to Find the Right Job in a Post-Recession Economy
Recovery Doubts Remain
While it is understandable that recession survivors want to improve their workplace conditions after a few years—seems like decades—of handling extra responsibilities for little or no additional compensation, many employees need a robust reality check.
Don’t be fooled by the lack of reported widespread downsizing or lay-offs, as that devastation was wrought so completely in 2006 through 2008, there is little massive “slicing and dicing” to be done. However, while economists will confidently tell you that technically the recession ended in 2008, it was not until early 2011 that many hiring managers even began reporting more positions to be filled.
With the possible exception of the recent, highly publicized campaign of McDonalds (“We want to hire 50,000 people nationwide.”), even newly energized hiring managers state that their companies are not seeking massive numbers of new employees. The business community remains unconvinced of the strength of the post-recession recovery.
It remains a “buyers’ market,” as employers still retain most of the leverage. The strong volume of candidates compared with the still conservative number of new lucrative jobs signifies that employers still have the upper hand regarding the terms available to new hires. Until the economy genuinely “heats up” the employment market, while significantly better, will not reach the hot stage.
How to Improve Your Odds of Finding a Better Job
If you’re ready to begin an active search now or in the near future, here are some suggestions to enrich the probability of finding that better job you want. Dennis Nishi authored a useful article that summarizes some classic, but effective tips to help your job search. Writing for the Wall Street Journal, Nishi’s article, “Improving the Odds for Changing Jobs” (Wall Street Journal 2010) states, in simple and coherent fashion, a winning action plan to find the “right” job.
- Examine and analyze your current situation. It is imperative that you spend some thoughtful, quiet time thinking about your reasons for seeking a new job. Focus on your reasons for wanting a new job. Be honest. Try to determine if you’re simply frustrated with the demands you faced during the recession or if you really want a new challenge and career path. In many cases, your current employer is thoroughly impressed with the way you stepped up and handled the extra work load during the dark times. This may open new windows of promotion during the recovery. However, if you believe your job remains a probable dead-end or your employer took your extra effort for granted, a new opportunity may reenergize you and your career.
- Re-activate your network. Your network of professional contacts, friends, and family remain a valuable component to career advancement. If you had to adopt a “bunker” mentality, as did many companies, during the recession, it’s time to plug into your network. Your contacts typically have inside information about new opportunities that may never be published.
- Research tirelessly. The Internet will deliver you a wealth of information about companies you want to work with or for which you’ve been invited for interviews. Don’t take shortcuts; do all of your homework. If your prospective employer is a publicly-traded company, you’ll find more information that you can possibly process. Even private companies may publish their financial statements on their websites. Beyond financial information, you can also learn much about their corporate culture and respect in the marketplace.
- Choose carefully. Wait for an offer from an employer with whom you are very comfortable. You must avoid moving from one unsatisfactory employer to another that may be less advantageous than the job or situation you already have. If you are still new to the workplace, please remember the grass is not always greener in the next yard. Remember the classic stock market reality: For every stock you buy, believing it will increase in price, someone is selling their shares because they believe the price will decline. An employer that is wonderful for others, may be a nightmare for you. Conversely, others might be totally unsatisfied with their current employer—hence, the open job—but, you might find they are your favorite company ever. Just be careful and thorough.
- Visit top employment firms, like Kelly Services. Outstanding employment firms typically have devoted client companies that have proven to offer the best jobs and, often, have the most satisfied employees. While even the top employment firms cannot guarantee your career satisfaction, they can list the best jobs and offer value-added employer information, interview tips, and present your “case” in the most favorable light to their clients.
While the dark days of the recession may be over, the job market remains a challenging adventure. If you do your homework and use some of the tips noted, you should find the right job with the perfect employer.